Philippine Airlines (PAL) made history with the touchdown at Perth Airport of the first nonstop flight from the Philippines on Monday which was piloted by President and COO Captain Stanley K. Ng.
The new PAL direct flights, a thrice weekly scheduled service operating into the Western Australian capital every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, allow travelers to fly between Perth and Manila in just seven hours. This saves travelers four to six hours in travel time compared to flying via other airline routes that require a stopover and flight connections in a third country.
The pioneer flight, designated PR 223, was flown under the command of Captain Ng, assisted by a crew of three pilots and 6 flight attendants. Captain Ng is an experienced Airbus A321 pilot who served as the airline’s operations chief before ascending to the COO position.
“This new route expands Philippine Airlines’ footprint in Australia, making PAL the largest airline operator offering the most routes from the Philippines to this very important region of the world,” said PAL President Captain Ng. “We are thrilled to welcome Western Australians aboard our flights for the shortest hop to the island wonders of the Philippines, where friendly people, spectacular beaches, natural treasures, a rich history and great shopping opportunities are waiting to be discovered.”
“It is a great privilege to lead the maiden flight to Perth as pilot in command. This milestone journey celebrates the continuing recovery of our airline from the challenges of the pandemic. The flight symbolizes PAL’s determination to grow its network and conquer new markets,” Capt. Ng added.
Also on board the inaugural flight was the Australian ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu PSM. Other notable passengers include business and government officials, mining executives heading to Perth and Philippine media representatives.
“I am excited about this direct flight from Manila to my hometown of Perth. Visiting this beautiful city has never been more convenient,” said Ambassador Yu. “You’ll be able to enjoy great food and wine, spectacular beaches and landscapes, and gorgeous weather.
Perth also offers world-class education and tremendous business opportunities. What is even more amazing is that there is no time difference between Manila and Perth, so you won’t suffer from any jet lag”.
“The new flights will further strengthen WA’s connection with the Philippines, and unlock new business and tourism opportunities within our state,” said Hon. Mark McGowan, Premier of Western Australia, in a public post last December after PAL announced the launch of Perth-Manila flights.
For the Perth service, Philippine Airlines is deploying a long-range Airbus A321neo that accommodates 12 passengers in luxurious full-flat Business Class seats along with 156 Economy Class passengers. The roomy A321neo cabin has personal inflight entertainment (IFE) screens in each seat, and wi-fi will be available onboard.
The nonstop flights to Manila allow for easy connections to Cebu, Davao and other Philippine business and resort destinations. Travelers from Perth may also fly onward via nonstop PAL flights to the U.S. West Coast, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand.
The PR 224 Perth-Manila flight departs from Perth’s Terminal 1 International at 8:30AM local time every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and lands in Manila at 3:50PM.
The PR 223 Manila-Perth service departs from Manila’s Terminal 2 at 12:05AM, after midnight every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and arrives in Perth Airport at 7:15AM on the same days.
Philippine Airlines will work with WA tourism authorities to promote Perth-bound travelers from the Philippines, North America and other Asian countries, who will find a wealth of unique adventure and business opportunities in Western Australia.
“Perth now joins Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in our Australian network, a milestone that underscores the growing trade relations and tourism activities that animate our two countries and help unite the Filipino and Australian people,” emphasized PAL President Captain Ng.
Employing its modern fleet of Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft, PAL offers a total of 21 weekly direct flights between Australia and Manila, including daily flights from Sydney, five weekly from Melbourne, and six weekly from Brisbane.
On March 15, 2023, PAL celebrated its 82nd year in service as Asia’s oldest operating airline. Known for its caring personal service reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people, the airline is undergoing a long-term transformation process, introducing various product innovations and service enhancements to further upgrade the overall experience of its passengers.